2.3 Analyse the effect group norms may have on team development

This guide will help you answer 2.3 Analyse the effect group norms may have on team development.

Group norms are the unspoken rules and expectations within a team. They influence how team members interact and collaborate. These norms shape behaviours and attitudes, impacting how work gets done in a team setting. In adult care settings, understanding group norms is essential for effective team development, as it can directly affect the quality of care delivered.

What are Group Norms?

Group norms are patterns or guidelines that indicate acceptable and unacceptable behaviour within a group. They emerge naturally over time through repeated interactions. Some norms are explicit, like dress codes or working hours, while others are implicit, such as communication styles or decision-making processes.

Examples of Group Norms

• Communication: Preferred ways of sharing information, like regular meetings or email updates.
• Decision-Making: Whether decisions are made collectively or rely on a lead practitioner’s authority.
• Conflict Resolution: Accepted ways to handle disagreements, whether through dialogue or intervention.
• Social Interaction: Levels of social engagement expected at work, from minimal to highly sociable.

How Group Norms Affect Team Development

Group norms significantly influence how a team develops over time. They can either support or hinder the formation of a cohesive and functional team.

Positive Effects

• Enhances Predictability: Clear group norms help team members understand what to expect from each other, reducing ambiguity.
• Promotes Cohesion: Shared norms foster a sense of belonging, linking team members through common values and expectations.
• Boosts Efficiency: Well-established norms streamline processes and reduce time spent on coordination, allowing more focus on care tasks.
• Encourages Accountability: When norms are set, individuals know their responsibilities, leading to more accountability within the team.

Negative Effects

• Inhibits Creativity: Overly rigid norms can stifle innovation, as team members may fear stepping outside the accepted patterns.
• Encourages Conformity: Pressure to conform can limit diversity of thought and discourage unique contributions.
• Perpetuates Inequality: Unchallenged norms may reinforce hierarchical structures, restricting participation from less dominant members.
• Establishes Resistance to Change: Strong norms can lead to resistance when new practices or changes are introduced.

Impact on Team Development Stages

Team development can be viewed through Bruce Tuckman’s model, which consists of forming, storming, norming, and performing stages. Each stage interacts differently with group norms.

Forming Stage

At this initial stage, team members are often reliant on pre-existing group norms to guide their behaviour since relationships are not yet established. Clear norms can provide necessary structure and ease initial anxieties. However, if norms are not aligned with the team’s goals, they can create confusion.

Storming Stage

During this stage, members begin to push against established norms to define their roles. Conflict may arise if norms are too rigid or not aligned with individual values. Effective lead practitioners can guide the team to modify norms that better serve the team’s objectives.

Norming Stage

Here, group norms become solidified as team members accept their roles. This stage benefits from clear and supportive norms that encourage collaboration and trust. It’s a critical time to reassess norms to ensure they are equitable and empowering for all members.

Performing Stage

In the performing stage, stable group norms allow teams to function efficiently towards shared goals. They provide a framework for smooth operation. But, overly entrenched norms can lead to complacency. It’s essential to continually evaluate norms to keep the team dynamic and responsive.

Role of a Lead Practitioner

As a lead practitioner, you have a significant role in shaping and influencing group norms. You need to assess the current norms within your team and determine their impact on team development.

Actions You Can Take

• Facilitate Open Discussions: Encourage team members to voice their opinions about existing norms. This helps identify which practices are beneficial and which need alteration.
• Model Desired Behaviours: Demonstrate the behaviours and attitudes you wish to see within the team. This sets a standard for others to follow.
• Establish Clear Guidelines: Set explicit expectations for new teams to establish foundational norms that support team goals.
• Promote Inclusivity: Ensure that norms do not marginalise any team members. Everyone should feel valued and able to contribute.

Ways to Manage Group Norms

You need to actively manage group norms to support positive team development.

Encourage Regular Feedback

Regular feedback sessions enable team members to provide input on norms. This can help adjust practices before they become problematic.

Flexibility and Adaptation

Adapt norms to evolving circumstances. Flexibility ensures that norms remain relevant and effective in meeting team objectives.

Training and Development

Provide training to foster an awareness of group norms and their impact. Equip your team with skills to recognise and adapt norms for better collaboration.

Conflict Resolution Mechanisms

Put mechanisms in place to deal with conflicts arising from group norms. Encourage healthy discussions to address issues promptly and effectively.

Final Thoughts

Analysing group norms provides valuable insights into their effect on team development. As a lead practitioner, you play an important role in evaluating and adjusting these norms to enhance team performance. By understanding the nuances of group norms, you can foster a supportive and dynamic team environment in adult care settings.